Job openings expected in the bioenergy industry: industry needs HR support

OTTAWA , Sept. 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's growing bioenergy industry represents job opportunities for Canadians, but the relatively small size of companies in the sector means they need support to recruit, retain and develop that talent according to the report Generating opportunity: Human resources needs in the bioenergy, biofuels and industrial biotechnology subsector released by BioTalent Canada today.

Increasing public demand for cost-efficient alternative energy sources and the federal government's mandate to include at least five per cent ethanol in gasoline by 2010, means that bioenergy companies are central to a resurgent Canadian economy. The report confirms that success is dependent, in part, on having the necessary skilled and job-ready talent.

"Canadians who've lost their manufacturing jobs can look to the biofuels and bioenergy sector as a real option," said Colette Rivet , executive director of BioTalent Canada . "The biofuels industry will be looking for job-ready talent with transferable skills."

Small- and medium-sized bioenergy-related firms, however, don't always have the time and HR expertise to recruit and retain talent to ensure successful growth. The solution lies with BioTalent Canada , which has created a compendium of specialized HR resources. The tools include a wage subsidy program, labour market information reports, BioTalent HR Tool Kit and the PetriDish job bank.

The report notes that renewed growth in the sector is expected over the next three to five years, and with that growth, comes jobs. Sixty-three per cent of organizations in bioenergy, biofuels and industrial biotechnology reported having unfilled positions requiring industry-specific skills. Companies surveyed identified gaps in roles that are applicable across all sectors, including general management, administration, marketing, and manufacturing.

The majority of companies surveyed said that the demand for products and services will climb to 80 per cent nationally and 83 per cent globally over the next three to five years.

The report, which includes a survey of individuals primarily from the biotechnology industry, measured the subsector's current views, identified possibilities for the future, and determined the human resources requirements for successful growth.

The full report is available on the BioTalent Canada website: www.biotalent.ca/reports.

About BioTalent Canada:

Canada is a world leader in biotechnology-the application of living organisms to industrial, agricultural, medical and other processes and products. To maintain and build on this leadership, bio-economy companies need highly skilled, job-ready people. By acting as a national hub and central resource for employers, job seekers, students, educators and government agencies, BioTalent Canada helps make this happen.

This project is funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.

For further information: Kelly Goulet-Lewis, Blueprint Public Relations, [phone] ext. 22, cell [phone], [email protected]